Bayern Munich are set to go up against a familiar face when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Leading the line for the Spanish giants will be Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who left Bayern for Barca during the summer after eight seasons with the Germans, during which he scored 344 goals in 375 appearances.
Bayern started their Group C campaign with an impressive 2-0 win at Inter Milan, when Leroy Sane and own goal by Danilo D'Ambrosio secured all three points in Italy. Barca trounced Viktoria Plzen 5-1 on the same night, with Lewandowski grabbing a hat-trick.
In the Bundesliga on Saturday, Bayern drew 2-2 at home with Stuttgart – their third consecutive draw that leaves the reigning champions third in the table, behind Freiburg and surprise leaders Union Berlin.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann said his side's form will not change their preparation for Tuesday's match.
“I approach the week the way I would have done it if we had won,” Nagelsmann said after the Stuttgart draw.
“We're trying to come up with a good idea for Barcelona, which will be difficult. I would have done the same thing if we had won 4-0 today.”
After his side's win over Inter, Nagelsmann said his side were ready to take on the man who won eight Bundesliga titles and one Champions League with the Bavarian club.
“I am looking forward to it [the reunion with Lewandowski]. Not so much as an opponent because he's very dangerous, but as a person I will be pleased to see him.
“I hope the fans will honour that too, regardless of how things were with his departure.”
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Robert Lewandowski warms up with Barcelona teammates on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP -
Barcelona's new signing Robert Lewandowski arrives to DRV PNK Stadium for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP -
Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Sergino Dest and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP -
Former NFL player Chad Johnson greets Robert Lewandowski at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.AFP -
Robert Lewandowski at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski trained with his Barcelona teammates in Florida on Tuesday. Getty -
Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP -
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas greets Robert Lewandowski. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Pique of Barcelona look on from the bench during the friendly against Inter Miami. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami. AFP
